BROOKS, AB (March 1, 2016) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are happy to announce the commitment of 1997-born defenceman Josh Gagne (Caledon, ON) for the 2016-17 AJHL season.
Gagne, 18, is currently the highest-scoring defenceman with The Gunnery prep school in Washington, Connecticut, in his second season with the team. Gagne scored 23 points (4 goals, 19 assists) in 31 games this year, following up a 17-point (5 goals, 12 assists) campaign in 28 games as a junior in 2014-15.
“We are excited that Josh and his family have chosen our program to begin his junior career and pursue an NCAA Scholarship,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “We have been impressed with his game at Gunnery and feel that he will bring similar qualities to our returning defencemen.
“We wish him the best of luck in tomorrow’s playoff game against Salisbury,” he added.
Prior to his time with the Highlanders, the 6’0”, 190lb defenceman played U16 hockey at The Hill Academy in Concord, Ontario, scoring 19 points (2 goals, 17 assists) in 53 games in 2013-14, and played his minor midget hockey with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) in 2012-13, registering 44 points (6 goals, 38 assists) in 59 games.
“It's an honour to have been selected to play for the Brooks Bandits,” said Gagne, “and I can not wait to join the team for this upcoming season.”
Gagne is the second player committed to the Bandits for 2016-17, joining 1997-born forward Oliver Chau (Oakville, ON) of Northfield Mount Hermon School who committed in August.